Practical Hints on the Culture and General Management of Alpine or Rock Plants

84, engraved title, 4 hand-coloured + 2 plain plates. . HB. Sm. 8vo, orig. cloth, gt, aeg, some wear to corners and spine, covers lightly soiled with a few small ink spots to rear. Old water stain to bottom margin of engraved title; some faint marginal thumbing. One colour plate bound upside down. 'To which is also appended a list of alpines, ferns, marsh, and aquatic plants, etc.' Original issue, undated, but published 1845. The book was also reissued around 1860. This original issue has front cover with a round ornamental border with elaborate lettered title within, the later reissue, an oval ornamental border with plain-lettered title. Scarce - probably issued only in a small print run. This work was the first book - at least in English - devoted wholly to the cultivation of alpine and rock-garden plants. James Lothian (1817–1871) was a Scottish gardener, known to have worked for W.A. Campbell, Esq. of Ormsary (during which time this book was written and published) and Sir John Powlett Orde of Kilmory Castle. He later established a nursery and seed business in Campbeltown.Ref: Nelson & King (2007), James Lothian (1817–1871) and his book Practical Hints on the Culture and General Management of Alpine or Rock Plants, Huntia 13(2): 143-154.…